Wide draw adds to Proxima Dea’s Oaks challenge
Unbeaten daughter of Westbury Stud stallion Tarzino, Proxima Dea, faces her toughest assignment yet after drawing barrier 19 for Thursday’s Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington.
The David Payne-trained filly has made an impressive start to her racing career, winning all five starts, including a breakthrough Group One triumph in the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.
Proxima Dea will be attempting to extend her unbeaten record to six and claim consecutive Group One victories when she steps up to 2500m for the first time.
However, Monday’s barrier draw has complicated her task, with the talented filly drawing towards the outside of a capacity field.
Proxima Dea has emerged as one of the most exciting staying fillies of the spring, having also won the Gr.3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill on her way to Spring Champion Stakes glory.
Her rise through the grades has provided another advertisement for Tarzino, whose progeny have continued to make their mark in staying races on both sides of the Tasman.
Among Proxima Dea’s leading rivals is New Zealand-bred filly De Armas (NZ), who enjoyed considerably better fortune at the barrier draw, securing gate one.
The daughter of Ardrossan heads into Thursday’s $1 million feature following a dominant victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
A total of 20 fillies accepted for the Oaks, with a maximum field of 16 runners and four emergencies.
